NameCensus.

UK surname

Maley

Derived from the Irish Ó Máille, meaning "descendant of Máille," a personal name of uncertain origin.

In the 1881 census there were 571 people recorded with the Maley surname, ranking it #6,089 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 820, ranked #6,767, down from #6,089 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, London parishes and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Solihull, Kincardine and Dudley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Maley is 820 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 43.6%.

1881 census count

571

Ranked #6,089

Modern count

820

2016, ranked #6,767

Peak year

2016

820 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Maley had 571 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,089 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 820 in 2016, ranked #6,767.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 789 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Maley surname distribution map

The map shows where the Maley surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Maley surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Maley over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 348 #6,765
1861 historical 789 #3,492
1881 historical 571 #6,089
1891 historical 550 #6,881
1901 historical 690 #6,352
1911 historical 483 #8,043
1997 modern 749 #6,890
1998 modern 799 #6,757
1999 modern 796 #6,825
2000 modern 787 #6,864
2001 modern 764 #6,890
2002 modern 771 #6,978
2003 modern 756 #6,975
2004 modern 740 #7,098
2005 modern 737 #7,055
2006 modern 736 #7,092
2007 modern 773 #6,887
2008 modern 775 #6,928
2009 modern 800 #6,888
2010 modern 807 #6,976
2011 modern 785 #7,060
2012 modern 769 #7,093
2013 modern 797 #6,985
2014 modern 811 #6,906
2015 modern 818 #6,807
2016 modern 820 #6,767

Geography

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Where Maleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, London parishes, St Pancras, Newcastle All Saints and St James Clerkenwell. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Solihull, Kincardine, Dudley, Isle of Wight and Walsall. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Wolverhampton Staffordshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 St Pancras London (North Districts)
4 Newcastle All Saints Northumberland
5 St James Clerkenwell London (Central Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Solihull 007 Solihull
2 Kincardine Fife
3 Dudley 031 Dudley
4 Isle of Wight 010 Isle of Wight
5 Walsall 007 Walsall

Forenames

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First names often paired with Maley

These lists show first names that appear often with the Maley surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Maley

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Maley, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Maley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Maley household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Maley is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Maley is most concentrated in decile 3 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Maley falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Maley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Maley, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Maley

The surname Maley is of Scottish origin, with roots tracing back to the 12th century. It is believed to have originated from a place name in the parish of Kilmuir, on the Isle of Skye. The name is derived from the Old Norse words "melr" and "ey," meaning "sandy place" and "island," respectively.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which list individuals who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England. The entry "Andrew de Maley" is mentioned, indicating the presence of the surname in Scotland during that time period.

In the late 14th century, a charter granted by King Robert III of Scotland refers to a "John de Maley," who held lands in the county of Inverness. This document provides evidence of the surname's continued use and association with the region.

During the 16th century, the Maley family established themselves as prominent landowners in the Scottish Highlands. One notable figure was Sir John Maley (c. 1530-1598), who served as a trusted adviser to Mary, Queen of Scots, and played a significant role in the political affairs of the time.

Another notable bearer of the surname was Alexander Maley (1680-1749), a Scottish minister and theologian. He was a respected figure in the Church of Scotland and authored several influential works on religious matters.

In the 18th century, the Maley family gained recognition in the literary world with the poet and dramatist David Maley (1725-1796). His works, which often explored themes of Scottish identity and culture, were widely acclaimed during his lifetime.

The name Maley has also been associated with various place names throughout Scotland, such as Maleyhill in Aberdeenshire and Maleytown in the Scottish Borders. These locations likely derived their names from early settlers bearing the Maley surname.

Over the centuries, the surname has seen various spellings, including Malie, Mallie, and Malley, reflecting regional variations and the evolution of language. However, the core meaning and origin of the name have remained consistent, rooted in the Scottish Highlands and the Isle of Skye.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Maley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Maley surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lancashire leads with 106 Maleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.57x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 106 1.57x
Middlesex 101 1.78x
Staffordshire 75 3.91x
Northumberland 49 5.79x
Yorkshire 37 0.66x
Durham 27 1.60x
Lanarkshire 21 1.14x
Warwickshire 21 1.46x
Kent 18 0.93x
Shropshire 15 3.05x
Cheshire 14 1.12x
Nottinghamshire 13 1.70x
Isle of Man 12 11.36x
Surrey 12 0.43x
Renfrewshire 10 2.27x
Somerset 9 0.98x
Hampshire 8 0.69x
Worcestershire 7 0.94x
Derbyshire 4 0.45x
Monmouthshire 4 0.97x
Perthshire 4 1.57x
Northamptonshire 3 0.56x
Stirlingshire 3 1.43x
Devon 2 0.17x
Flintshire 2 1.31x
Pembrokeshire 2 1.11x
Bedfordshire 1 0.34x
Berkshire 1 0.23x
Cornwall 1 0.16x
Radnorshire 1 2.18x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 29 Maleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.26x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 29 5.26x
Wolverhampton 21 14.23x
Clerkenwell London 18 13.41x
Birmingham 17 3.56x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 17 33.64x
Chorley 16 42.25x
St Luke London 16 17.54x
Barony 14 3.01x
Eccleshall 13 178.57x
Wednesbury 13 27.10x
Westoe 13 13.55x
Liverpool 12 2.93x
Onchan 12 39.45x
Leeds 11 3.46x
Oldham 11 5.05x
Keighley 10 16.65x
Almsford 9 1551.72x
Manchester 9 2.97x
Shrewsbury St Mary 9 46.42x
Bromley London 8 6.39x
Eynsford 8 240.24x
Farlington 8 336.13x
Horton 8 191.39x
Isleworth 8 31.65x
Kingswinford 8 11.48x
Nottingham St Mary 7 3.53x
St Giles 7 66.29x
St Pancras London 7 1.53x
Stourbridge 7 36.63x
Bilston 6 16.13x
Crompton 6 31.22x
Deptford St Paul 6 4.01x
Elswick 6 8.88x
Knaresborough 6 67.80x
Newton 6 11.54x
Royton 6 29.07x
St Giles In Fields 6 30.60x
Byker 5 11.95x
Cathcart 5 20.96x
Govan 5 1.10x
Neilston 5 22.60x
Newington 5 2.38x
Parr 5 20.71x
West Bromwich 5 4.55x
West Derby 5 2.53x
Chesterfield 4 11.98x
Darlaston 4 15.08x
Newark Upon Trent 4 14.52x
Openshaw 4 12.66x
Sale 4 25.97x
Stranton 4 7.02x
Birkenhead 3 3.00x
Blackburn 3 1.67x
Bootle Cum Linacre 3 5.60x
Drayton In Hales 3 29.62x
Great Little Marsden 3 9.71x
Hammerwich 3 109.89x
Lambeth 3 0.61x
Longbenton 3 8.37x
Methven 3 80.21x
Sandal Magna 3 36.01x
Shoreditch London 3 1.22x
St Woollos 3 6.54x
Stirling 3 11.34x
Sutton 3 13.26x
Warwick St Mary 3 24.10x
Whitstable 3 31.51x
Bedlington 2 7.08x
Camberwell 2 0.55x
Chorlton On Medlock 2 1.87x
Filey 2 43.96x
Glanton 2 206.19x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 2 2.73x
Kirkleatham 2 26.28x
Newcastle On Tyne St 2 4.56x
Ormskirk 2 15.49x
Sandbach 2 18.67x
Seaton Delaval 2 26.92x
Sutton In Ashfield 2 12.03x
Weedon Beck 2 52.22x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Maley surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 60
Catherine 16
Margaret 16
Elizabeth 14
Ann 12
Bridget 12
Annie 8
Ellen 8
Jane 7
Sarah 7
Julia 6
Kate 6
Winifred 6
Emily 5
Hannah 5
Emma 4
Clara 3
Eleanor 3
Selina 3
Alice 2
Anne 2
Eliza 2
Harriet 2
Helen 2
Isabella 2
Margret 2
Marian 2
Annette 1
Bridgett 1
Caroline 1
Catherin 1
Cecilia 1
Dorothy 1
Edith 1
Elin 1
Elizth. 1
Eugene 1
Fanny 1
Florence 1
Frances 1
Heneretta 1
Hester 1
Honor 1
Jammima 1
Jessie 1
Lizza 1
Louisa 1
Lucy 1
Margarett 1
Margrate 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Maley surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
John 49
Thomas 28
James 25
Patrick 22
William 22
Michael 13
Martin 12
George 8
Joseph 8
Charles 6
Edward 6
Henry 6
Alfred 4
Anthony 4
Peter 4
Richard 4
Robert 4
Walter 4
Austin 3
Francis 3
Frank 3
Mark 3
Albert 2
Archibald 2
David 2
Dennis 2
Harry 2
Hugh 2
Augustus 1
Earnest 1
Edwin 1
Fred. 1
Frederick 1
Fredrick 1
Geo. 1
Jas. 1
Jessie 1
Jno 1
Jno. 1
Luke 1
Mathew 1
Micheal 1
Nicholas 1
Nichols 1
Owen 1
Patk. 1
Patt 1
Philip 1
Porteus 1
Wm.H. 1

FAQ

Maley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Maley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 571 people were recorded with the Maley surname. That placed it at #6,089 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Maley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 820 in 2016. That gives Maley a modern rank of #6,767.

What does the Maley surname mean?

Derived from the Irish Ó Máille, meaning "descendant of Máille," a personal name of uncertain origin.

What does the Maley map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Maley bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.